End to end hockey epitomized the first period of the game, but the two goals scored by either team in the period were hardly a result of it.
Tyler Kennedy outworked Rod Brind'Amour in the right corner, drove to the net, and flipped a backhander after patiently out-waiting Cam Ward, who couldn't push all the way across his crease to deny Kennedy's shot.
In a four on four, Sidney Crosby took a chip pass from Chris Kunitz that sprung him on a long breakaway that spanned over 2/3 of the ice. Ward was up to the task, stopping Crosby cold and swinging the momentum badly in Carolina's favor.
Not long after, Tuomo Ruutu and Erik Cole worked the puck behind the Penguins' net, and Eric Staal managed to bump a Cole pass past Fleury to even the score at one apiece.
Chad Larose one-timed a pass from Ray Whitney into the net after a bad turnover by Matt Cooke.
Bill Guerin appeared to tie the game up a bit shy of midway through the second, but it was waved off, and Kunitz went to the box for tripping.
Five minutes into the final frame, the Pens did tie it up.
Kennedy broke down the left wing and sent the biscuit to Jordan Staal, who was ready to smack it past Ward, which he did.
After Crosby blocked a shot, he slid the puck ahead to Evgeni Malkin for another breakaway. Malkin was tripped up on the play, and a penalty shot was awarded.
On the shot, Ward was up to the task yet again, keeping the puck out.
Guerin took a tripping minor with two minutes left, but that penalty was killed.
Sadly, Anton Babchuk blasted it past Fleury from the right point in the overtime.
Tough loss, being as Carolina now has the inside track for home ice in the playoffs.
Pens can clinch a spot tomorrow in Florida.
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1 comment:
Tyler Kennedy was incredible. He was everywhere he needed to be.
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